Case: Meet in the Middle

C1+C2=N+1C_1 + C_2 = N+1

When we have a lane with clues on both sides that add up to N+1N+1, we can pinpoint the lane peak.

364

Take a look at the constraints on where the 66 can go produced by the 33 and 44 clues:

36666
6664

There’s only 1 spot for the 66!

This happens whenever the 2 clues add up to N+1N+1, which is in fact the highest any 2 opposite clues can ever add up to. If they added up to more, the lane would be unsolvable!

44
4666
6664

Nowhere for 66 to go!

This deduction is a small reason why closed Skyscrapers are easier than open ones – since every clue has an opposite clue, it’s far more likely you’ll be able to use this deduction to pinpoint a lane peak!